How To: Add a Network Printer
Owning ITS Area:
Helpdesk
Priority (Definitions):
Medium
Need for the Article:
Some devices will require addition of a printer to complete certain tasks
Last Date Reviewed:
Jan 23rd, 2024
If your printer is on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.
There are two different ways that can add a printer (Automatic or Manually):
AUTOMATIC:
1. Search for "Add a printer or scanner" in the bottom left corner.
2. Press the "Add a printer or scanner" button.
3. If your printer is available to find on the network, you should see printers listed that you can add. If not, you may need to add the printer manually (INSTRUCTIONS BELOW).
PLEASE NOTE: Newer laptops will require ITS to add drivers before you can do it yourself. This is usually done at the time that the laptop is provisioned, or after, depending on the time that is organized.
MANUAL:
1. Search for "Add a printer or scanner" in the bottom left corner.
2. Press the "Add a printer or scanner" button.
3. Your computer will search for printers until it gives you the option "The printer that I want isn't listed".
4. Depending on your computer, you may need someone from ITS to add the printer for you. If not, you should see the following screen appear:
5. If you do see this screen, please select "Select a shared printer by name".
6. Depending on your campus you will have differently named Print Servers that you will add printers from. For example, Prince George uses the server "pprint01" for finding all of its printers and their drivers. If you do not know the name of the server you should add from, please ask ITS for support. Once you know which server you are using, you will enter it in this format:
\\pprint01 or [name of server dependent on campus] \ [name of the printer you are trying to add]
You can find the name of printer by looking for a sticker similar to the below image:
7. Finally, you should have the following list in which you can choose the correct printer:
Pick the printer that you are looking for, and select "Next"
Then... you're done! Allow your computer to find and install the driver, and you should be good for printing. You may get the option to "Print a test page". Please choose this option to make sure that drivers have been installed properly, and for general functionality testing.